Every year, thousands of tiny tremors are recorded all over the planet, some of which are so small that they go unnoticed. However, some earthquakes are remembered throughout history for being so destructive that they leave devastating consequences.

The United States Geological Survey is an international organization that monitors seismic activity all over the world. As well as carrying out day to day research, specialists also study the effects of past earthquakes to determine their magnitude.

In light of the recent devastating quake in Indonesia, click through to see the highest magnitude earthquakes in history.

Lombok, Indonesia (2018) - A powerful 6.9-magnitude quake hit the Indonesian island of Lombok, killing around 100 people and putting neighboring Bali on alert as thousands of tourists are stranded on the island.

Sumatra, Indonesia (2004) - This earthquake hit the Indian Ocean and registered a magnitude of 9.3 of the Richter scale. The quake generated a massive tsunami, which caused a devastating wave of destruction that left more than 225,000 people dead.

Haiyuan County, China (1920) - The earthquake struck on December 16, 1920, in China's Ningxia Province, with a magnitude of between 7.8 and 8.5 on the Richter scale. According to reports, between 200,000 and 240,000 people died.

Tohoku, Japan (2011) - Considered one of the five most destructive earthquakes of all time, it was responsible for 15,878 deaths, left 6,126 wounded, and 2,173 missing. After the earthquake, an enormous tsunami hit the Japanese coast.

Sichuan, China (2008) - This huge earthquake in Sichuan happened on May 8, 2008, and measured 8.0 on the Richter scale. The quake caused the death of more than 80,000 people and resulted in more than US$146.5 billion in damage.

Lisbon, Portugal (1755) - Seismologists estimate that the earthquake was between 8.5 and 9.0 on the Richter scale. The ensuing chaos caused a deadly combination of fires and a tsunami that killed more than 100,000 people.

Sicily, Italy (1693) - Considered the most devastating earthquake in Italian history, it registered at a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale. It destroyed 70 cities, killing 60,000 people in southern Italy.

Kathmandu, Nepal (2015) - The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, affecting a region between the capital of Kathmandu and the city of Pokhara. The devastation caused the deaths of 5,000 people and left 10,000 wounded.

The most devastating earthquakes of all time

In the wake of Indonesia's deadly disaster

Every year, thousands of tiny tremors are recorded all over the planet, some of which are so small that they go unnoticed. However, some earthquakes are remembered throughout history for being so destructive that they leave devastating consequences.

The United States Geological Survey is an international organization that monitors seismic activity all over the world. As well as carrying out day to day research, specialists also study the effects of past earthquakes to determine their magnitude.

In light of the recent devastating quake in Indonesia, click through to see the highest magnitude earthquakes in history.